You’re never a loser until you quit trying.

Building a bike – more expensive than you’d think!

I’m pricing a self-built Surly Cross Check with Shimano 105 components at about € 1,600 (USD $2000). That does include tools to the value of €380 that I can reuse, but it’s a hell of a hit to take upfront even so.

Despite the good deal on the frame I’d get online the cost of the “finishing kit”, saddle, bars, stem, as well as the expensive Park Tools needed, make this impossible to justify. I could probably get this with complete Ultegra built up from the shop for the cost of the full self-build with 105. Here’s the numbers:

Planet X Kaffenback

The value of the reusable tools from the first and 2nd self build options is €379.34 and €148.69 respectively. Prices are mainly from Chain Reaction Cycles, except the frame from a bikecomponents.de. Prices include delivery to Dublin, Ireland. The only estimate I included is €200 for a complete wheelset (hubs, rim, spokes) from my bike shop.